His hold tightened. “Shh, don’t cry, baby. Don’t waste your tears on someone like him. It’s not your fault that you trusted him. He was always there for you until…” with a deep breath, he gritted out, “he showed his true color. But don’t worry, Rosebud. He can’t hurt you anymore. You won’t see his face ever again. I promise you that.”

Snuggling against his chest, I hid my face in the crook of his neck.

Then he lathered soap on my body, washing every part of me with utmost care. Once finished with the shower, he towel dried my hair and body, and carried me into the bedroom.

When he finished dressing both of us, he made me sit on the bed.

“Stay here, let me get something for you to eat.”

I shook my head. “I’m not hungry. I want to sleep.”

I was exhausted. Mentally and physically. Mostly emotionally. I wanted to sleep and forget about everything.

“But—”

“Please.” My voice came out croaky.

Sighing, he nodded. Walking closer, he arranged the pillows and laid me down before moving the blanket over me. I grabbed his hand, making his eyes snap to mine. Though he was calm, the fire in his gray orbs was clear. This was the calm before another storm rose.

“Sleep with me?”

He leaned in and kissed my temple. “You don’t have to ask.”

Turning the lights off, he slipped under the blanket with me and pulled me into him, not wasting a second. But something didn’t feel right.

“No clothes,” I complained.

Letting out a low chuckle, he moved away slightly and discarded his T-shirt. Next went mine, the only thing I had on.

When my palm felt his sculpted chest, firm abs, and strong broad shoulders, and when our skin touched as he hugged me to himself, I let out a sigh of content.

The feel of him against me, his skin against mine, made me relax. I loved to sleep with him topless and he knew it. It always soothed me. It gave me more closeness with him. Not only physically, but also emotionally. And tonight, I needed him more than anything.

His big, calloused hand roamed over my hips and back. A silence fell over us. Even while lying down with me, his form didn’t relax.

“D-do you hate me?” I whispered.

Under the dimmed light, I found his brows furrowed. “What? Why are you asking such a thing, Rosebud?”

I gulped. “F-for what happened back in the hotel… he-he tried to force himself on me. You must feel disgusted…”

“Rosebud…” he warned.

“I swear he couldn’t do much. H-he…”